Tag Archives: 1972

BMW /5 Rocky Point Key retrofit

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I can’t take credit for this idea.  I saw this on a blog ages ago.  I have since tried to locate the blog and haven’t had any luck so i figured i’d share my experience here on beemersandbits.com.

Hopefully this will help those out there trying to do the same key modification to their /5.  I think /2 BMW’s use the same ‘beetle’ looking key.

Photo lifted from Rocky Point Cycle. They include detailed instructions on how to install this key mechanism

Original beetle looking BMW motorcycle key for a /5.

First you have to remove the old key mechanism. Quickly you start to realize that this upgrade is valid. the contacts and wiring aren’t the best after 38+ years.
Start by taking a long screwdriver and carefully bend the 4 tabs that hold the original key relay in place.

Removal of old switch mechanism

Not much to it. this is the order in which all these pieces went together.

 

The next step is to prepare everything.  I used some small drill bits and drilled around the old key.  After doing enough drilling, i was able to wiggle it loose and remove it from the ‘beetle’.
I then had to file down the head of the new key to fit inside the ‘beetle’.

Old 'key' removed from beetle. New key shaved down to fit.

Next was finding a way to get MacGyver and keep the key in place while the epoxy hardens.

 

Key in headlight housing in 'off' position

Key in 'run' position

 

Found one! No wait, found two?

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i started to keep my eyes peeled for a donor bike and sure enough, one turned up on a BMW online classifieds site for $600. It was the right model, but in sad sad shape. No biggy, the whole thing will get torn apart and rebuilt anyway.  The seller is about 5 hours away but was visiting his mom who is 2 hours away.  I agreed to go meet him and pick the bike up, take it apart and cram it into my station wagon.

As i meet the seller at a gas station in the Palm Desert, somebody else pulls up and asks me if that is a R75 BMW and would i like to buy another one.

Thinking he is a joker or is going to want LOTS of money for it, i tell him yes but it depends on cost and condition. His name is Mark, dressed in business attire and he offers to help out with us taking apart a motorcycle and cram it into my wagon.

 

parking lot bike disassembly

BMW transaction #1 into my VW Diesel wagon

After i settle up with the seller, Mark asks me to follow him to his work.  A few minutes later, we wash our hands of all the grime and we talk about motorcycles in his office. He’s an interesting guy with an sad yet interesting story. It turns out he has another bike, the exact same model, fully complete and wants only $400 for it. We go for a ride to take a look and holy crap. I entered the holy grail of motorcycle garages.  JAWAs, Bultacos, Triumps, Harleys, tons of Yamahas, a sweet Honda CL 200, etc…   I tell him i’ll take the second bike and i’ll be back in a few weeks to pick it up.  The other bikes are for sale too and i can’t help but drooool over some of them… but the garage was so overwhelming, i could barely take it all in.

my dream garage. The BMW is up there among the others.

 

My 1971 BMW 2002

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(she was titled in 1972 though)

I’ll be adding information and progress as i tinker with my car too. Surprisingly, the car isn’t too different than the motorcycle. They share some of the same electronic components and are very simple vehicles. I’m currently in the middle of adding an alarm to the car with progressive door lock actuators.  It will be great to lock and unlock the car via a remote.  The keys for the car are very old, thin and flimsy so having the ability to lock the car without the key will lessen the chance of breaking the key off in the lock.

The car also suffered a massive dent in the rear due to some idiot on her cell phone.  My daughter and i were fine but i had to live without the car for 6 months while the repairs were made.  They did an AMAZING job and i had the whole car painted .  I’ve had the car back  for a few months now after getting it repaired from a nearby Truck Repair shop and been fiddling and tweaking it to get it back to daily driver status.

Here is a photo of the car before the accident, on her first surf trip about a year or so ago.

Her name is Betty